ATLANTA — Georgia school districts are beginning to take precautions as coronavirus spreads in the state.
At a press conference on Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp even suggested schools take action if they feel it necessary.
"If you feel it is prudent, you should consider closing daycares, schools or school districts as early as tomorrow through the next two weeks," he said.
He said this is not a mandate and "at this point, we believe that local decision-making is the right course of action, and you have the flexibility.”
11Alive is working to keep an up-to-date list of metro Atlanta, east Georgia and north Georgia schools as they make decisions related to the virus - including closures and school-related event cancellations.
Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools superintendent Meria Carstarphen has announced that Thursday classes and activities are closing. However, she said students will need to come to work and class on Friday "to prepare for an extended leave starting Monday."
She is warning students to anticipate being closed up to two weeks and "potentially extending beyond Spring Break."
Banks County School System
Banks County Schools will close beginning March 16 and remain closed through March 27. During this time, there will be no extracurricular activities.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases in the area but the closure decision was made due to the rapid spread of the virus. The school system will be utilizing distance learning during this time. Teachers will be sending out information soon.
Barrow County School System
Barrow County Schools will be closed for two weeks beginning on March 16 and continuing through the month. Classes will reopen on March 30. During the closing, there will be no extracurricular activities, sports, school events or field trips.
Over this period, schools and buses will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using cleaners approved to clean up COVID-19. The school system is asking families to wash backpacks, coats, and jackets as soon a possible.
The school system also plans to send out information about potential resources for learning from home. That and other information will be shared on a special website.
All activities scheduled over the weekend will continue as planned and staff who are scheduled to work on Friday should report as planned.
Bartow County School System
On the governor's suggestion, Bartow County School System will temporarily close its schools to all students and staff beginning March 16 and continuing through March 27.
Staff, if healthy, should report on Friday. Student attendance is optional on this day and bus routes will operate normally.
A long-term "Digital Learning Day" plan will go into effect for all students and staff on March 17. All Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and non-GHSA extracurricular events and field trips are suspended until further notice.
Classes will resume for all students and staff on March 30.
Buford City Schools
Buford City Schools will close on Monday, March 16, and remain closed until further notice.
Additionally, all athletic practices and competitions will be canceled beginning Saturday, March 14, 2020, and will resume when school is back in session.
The district said it will monitor closely and assess the situation to determine if the closure should be extended past this week.
Carroll County School System
Carroll County schools will close beginning March 16 for an expected two-week period. March 13 will be a regularly-scheduled teacher workday and staff will be provided specific instruction regarding expectations and duties.
The precautionary measure will keep kids out of school but students will be able to continue their education through a digital learning plan on their school's website.
Students are expected to log into their teachers' websites and participate in learning activities.
More specific questions should be directed to teachers by email. Students who do not have access to the internet will be able to get alternate assignments from their teachers that don't require technology.
Chattooga County School District
Schools in Chattooga County will be closed between March 16 and March 27 and reopen on March 30. During that time, students will be involved in "Digital Learning Days" where students are not present on campuses.
Teachers will post assignments to the Chattooga County Schools Google Classroom.
Cherokee County School District
The schools will close for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27.
The district is not closing Friday, March 13, to allow time for students and staff to retrieve materials and technology. Beginning Monday, March 16, they will use the Canvas learning management system to continue teaching and learning through Digital Learning Days.
All extracurricular activities and athletics are canceled.
Custodians will be cleaning schools during the closure.
The School Nutrition Department has applied with the State to provide to-go meals to our neediest schools. They will communicate with eligible families as soon as possible.
City Schools of Decatur
An employee has reported to 11Alive that Decatur City Schools are closed until further notice. The school system made the decision following the governor's announcement and after consultation with metro Atlanta school districts. The closure goes into effect on Friday.
Students are not to report to school and all extracurricular activities are canceled. Employees should check their email for additional information. Essential personnel is expected to report to work. The school system hopes to resume instruction as soon as possible but said the situation is still fluid.
The school system has not been informed of any member of its community who has tested positive for coronavirus.
For the first three days, teachers are being asked to "work toward preparing enrichment and relearning materials for distribution online." Families are asked to take preventative steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Clarke County School District
Clarke County Schools will be closed from March 16 until March 20. The school system will evaluate later in the week whether the closure needs to continue. On Monday, central office staff, principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches and department chairs at the high school level will need to report to work. Any staff that traveled to a Level 3 country should stay home and notify their supervisor.
During this time, there will be no extracurricular activities, sports, school events or field trips.
Over the closure, schools and buses will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Clay County (N.C.) Schools
Clay County Schools was already set to be closed for a teacher workday on Friday, March 13. However, the school system's athletic programs are following the lead of the state athletic association. Basketball championships and all interscholastic athletics have been suspended as a precaution to coronavirus.
This impacts high school and middle school sports.
Clayton County Schools
The Clayton County Public Schools District will be closing all schools until further notice beginning on Monday.
The decision is based on the recommendation of the school district superintendent after motoring national and local reports regarding the spread of coronavirus. The school district said that it had been told by the county government that there was one confirmed case of coronavirus in the county that was not related to the school district.
All employees who work 200 days or more will still report to work along with nutrition staff and security personnel.
Parents and students are asked to access Digital Learning Day details on this school system website. Students without the internet will be provided with hard copies from their schools.
The school system will continue to process payroll and those employees who need to be absent must submit leave requests.
Non-emergency medical and pre-screening services will continue at the School-Based Health Center at North Clayton High School. Residents should contact their medical provider to inquire about flu or coronavirus testing.
Cobb County Schools
In response to Gov. Kemp's advice, Cobb County Schools has announced that it will be closings schools beginning Monday, March 16 and continuing "until further notice."
Coweta County School System
Coweta County Schools will be closed on Friday and will remain closed until March 27. The decision was based on information shared by Governor Brian Kemp that urged schools to take necessary action.
All scheduled school activities including extracurricular activities, sports, practices, and trips are canceled.
The school system will communicate with employees in the event of any changes regarding their work-related duties during this period.
Dawson County Schools
Schools in Dawson County will be closed from March 16 until March 20. During this time, the district will monitor the situation and determine if the schools should be closed for another week.
The school district will utilize online learning through Schoology. Each school will be communicating information specific to particular grade levels and subject areas.
The Georgia High School Association has suspended all activities including sports, practices, field trips and other extracurriculars in Dawson County effective March 13.
The district is working with the state to develop a plan to provide for the nutritional needs of the community. Additional information will be provided at a later time.
DeKalb County School District
DeKalb County School District will be closed on Monday and remain shut down until further notice. The school is already closed for Friday due to a teacher planning day.
During the closure, all employees will continue to be paid and will work remotely from home. Student learning will continue through virtual learning assignments in the VERGE platform.
Douglas County School System
Douglas County Schools will be closed from March 16 through March 27 with all students and employees returning on March 30. Schools will operate normally on Friday. Most extracurricular activities, field trips, and athletic events are also canceled.
During the closure, employees will work from home and students should follow the digital learning plan. Parents and students should check their schools' websites for assignments.
Teachers will be available by email and through other electronic platforms to assist students.
No cases of coronavirus have been identified in Douglas County but the school system said it will take advantage of the closure to deep clean all schools and buses.
Fannin County School System
In light of the governor's guidance, Fannin County Schools will be open on Friday and will still have a 2-hour early release for parent-teacher conferences. However, the school system will be closed from March 16 through March 20. They intend to send more information about this closure on Friday.
Fayette County Public Schools
Fayette County schools and administrative offices in the system will be closed for students and staff from March 16 to March 20 out of an abundance of caution.
The closure impacts all programming at the schools including after school activities, athletics, and extracurricular practices and competitions.
The school system will notify parents on March 19 about school on the week of March 23.
Students will participate in virtual learning during the closure. Teachers will contact students and parents through normal communication regarding instruction and assignments for virtual learning. Pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade teachers will provide parents with a list of non-digital activities to continue learning. Digital resources will also be available.
Families who need help with meals for any Fayette County student age 18 and under during the closure can come to Spring Hill Elementary School and North Fayette Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Food will be distributed as a drive-thru service.
Floyd County Schools
Floyd County Schools will remain closed for all staff and students through March 25 with current plans to resume classes on the following day.
The central office and custodial staff will need to report to work on Friday, March 13. More information is expected to be released that day.
The school system had previously said that only one employee had been confirmed to have coronavirus. The school system said it had "already taken additional precautions to ensure effective sanitation practices" in facilities and buses.
The school system previously said that it is taking Thursday and Friday to thoroughly clean frequently-touched hard surfaces and restart the rotation of fogging schools with sanitizers.
All upcoming GHSA activities and middle school athletic events have been suspended for the next two weeks.
Fulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools has announced that it will close all schools and administrative officers beginning Monday and that the closure will continue until further notice.
On Friday, all activities of the school and district have also been canceled on postponed.
"This action is being taken in an effort to slow the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus," the school system wrote in its latest update. "Students and all employees should not report to school or work until further notice."
Students will still be expected to complete online learning assignments or work packets as they are assigned by their classroom teachers. Teachers and principals will be sending out additional information on what is expected by Monday.
Forsyth County Schools
All Forsyth County Schools were already scheduled to have a professional learning day on Friday - meaning no students were coming to school.
Due to coronavirus concerns, Forsyth County Schools will now close and hold "Online Learning Days" from March 16 to March 20. On March 19, the school system will announce its plans for the March 23 through March 27.
All events and activities are canceled effective at 6 a.m. Friday and until further notice.
During the online learning days, all teachers who are leading lessons for students will work from home. Plans for all categories of employees will be communicated on Friday.
Students may retrieve their books and personal materials or check out technology from the school on Friday during normal hours.
Greene County School System
The Greene County School System expects to close for three weeks beginning March 16 due to concerns over coronavirus and its spread. The action follows a "call to action" to close for two weeks.
The official closure of the schools will run until March 30. However, that marks the beginning of the school system's spring break which will be observed as planned.
Unless otherwise notified, students should plan to return to school on April 6. Beginning Friday, there will be no extracurricular activities, sports, school events or field trips.
Over this time, buses and schools will be thoroughly cleaned and the school is asking parents to wash backpacks, coats, and jackets as soon as possible.
Griffin-Spalding County School System
As a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of students, staff and community in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Griffin-Spalding County School System schools and offices will be closed Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020.
All GSCS events and activities are canceled effective Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 22 except for the SAT being administered Saturday, March 14 at Griffin High School and Spalding High School. This includes all school events, extracurricular activities, school-related field trips, community school events, and facility rentals. All athletic practices and competitions will be suspended until March 27.
In an effort to minimize the interruption to student learning, GSCS will implement its continuous learning plan starting Wednesday, March 18. All GSCS teachers will distribute learning materials to students to take home on Friday, March 13.
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Friday is a scheduled student-teacher holiday for Gwinnett County Public Schools. For the week of March 16, the school system will hold "Digital Learning Days." On March 19, the school system will announce its plans for the week of March 23 after a thorough review of the coronavirus situation at that time.
All school system events and activities are also canceled as of 6 a.m. on Friday. This is in effect until further notice and includes school events, extra-curricular activities, trips, community events, and facility rentals.
Gordon County Schools
Schools in Gordon County are closed for two weeks through March 27 as a precaution due to coronavirus in Georgia.
Instruction will continue through homebound activities that will be shared with all students and parents on March 16. A professional learning day for teachers will be in place for faculty and staff. Teachers will continue to prepare learning packets and digital learning activities. Learning days will begin on Tuesday.
All field trips, in and out of state, are suspended through April 13. All athletic practices and games are suspended through March 27 and will be re-evaluated at that time.
Habersham County School System
Habersham County Schools has chosen to close all schools for students from March 16 through March 27.
The closing period is a proactive measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The school system is implementing its "learning from home plan" which will begin on March 17. Schools will share specific information regarding the plan by Monday.
Hall County School District
Hall County Schools will conduct "school from home" for one week beginning on March 16. The school will be in session Friday (March 13) to allow parents time to make arrangements for childcare and to give teachers time to prepare students for the week ahead.
Students who do not have personal devices at home can check out one on Friday. Students who stay home on Friday as well can have their parents make arrangements for them to pick up a personal device for online learning.
The district will monitor the situation closely and decide whether school from home should be extended. Locals will be notified by the end of the business day on Thursday, March 19.
Field trips and extracurricular activities are postponed indefinitely beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m. Extensive cleaning will continue during the schools' closure.
Large group gatherings of students and staff will not take place for the duration of school from home.
A food services plan has been developed to minimize large group interactions in cafeterias should it become necessary once regular schooling resumes.
Haralson County School District
Schools in Haralson County will remain open on March 13 but will close on March 16 until April 6. On Friday, students will be given assignment packets and directions for virtual classwork during the time classes are closed.
Heard County School System
Schools will be closed from March 16 through March 29. However, they will remain open on March 13 so that students can receive any digital learning instructions or packets they need from instructors. Authorities hope to return to class on March 30.
There are currently no plans for having make-up days during the upcoming spring break.
Henry County Schools
After advisement from the governor and consultation with the health department and Georgia Department of Education, Henry County Schools has decided to close beginning on Monday. All district-associated activities have been suspended effective immediately.
Schools and school system facilities will be closed for two weeks at least; though the possibility exists that they'll be closed longer. During this time, the school system said it will conduct "thorough cleaning" of its facilities and property. It will also allow the implementation of "continuity plans" and for the system to monitor state officials as they follow the spread of coronavirus in Georgia.
As of the decision, there were no presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Henry County but the school system said it realized that the virus is a growing concern.
The school system said it is prepared to begin a "remote learning plan" that will let students continue their learning with district-issued devices or printed materials.
Students will receive information from their school about the activities available to be continued from home. Teachers will also have digital office hours for students and parents to ask questions and get assistance.
Jackson County School System
Jackson County School System will be closed for two weeks beginning on March 16. It will reopen on March 30.
During the closure, there will be no extracurricular activities, sports, school events, or field trips. Schools will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected during the break.
Students in middle and elementary school who have not already completed the distance learning and Chromebook need a survey on the school website are asked to please do so. Teachers and principals will be sending out information regarding digital and distance learning in the near future.
Lumpkin County Schools
The Lumpkin County School System will close beginning on March 16 for a minimum of one week due to public health concerns and guidance from numerous agencies.
The school system will reevaluate the state of health before the end of the week to determine whether any further action is necessary.
Madison County Charter Schools
Madison County Schools have decided to close for two weeks upon the advice from Governor Brian Kemp. Schools will be closed beginning March 16 and reopen on March 30.
During the closing, there will be no extracurricular activities, sports, school events or field trips. Buses and schools will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected ruing this time.
Children's teachers and principals will be sending out information regarding digital and distance learning in the near future.
Marietta City Schools
Marietta City Schools canceled for two weeks starting Monday. Students and teachers are encouraged to attend school on Friday, March 13. The district said they would release more information as it becomes available.
Meriwether County Schools
Schools in Meriwether County will close beginning March 16 and continue through March 27 or later. All school activities will also be suspended during this time and athletic competitions and other events have been postponed until further notice.
Class was held on Friday to prepare students for at-home learning over the coming weeks.
Morgan County Charter School System
Morgan County Schools will be closed from March 16 to March 20. The school system will reevaluate on March 19 to see if continued closing is needed.
During this time, there will be no extracurricular activities, sports, schools events or field trips.
Newton County Schools
All Newton County schools will be closed beginning March 16. All afterschool and extracurricular activities are also canceled until further notice. This includes both Alcovy and Eastside high school proms.
The district will continue to monitor the situation to determine when schools will reopen.
Oconee County Schools
Schools in Oconee County (Georgia) will be closed for two weeks beginning on Monday and reopening March 30. There will be no extra-curricular activities, sports, school events or field trips.
Over that time, schools and buses will be heavily cleaned and disinfected. Parents are also asked to wash backpacks, coats, and jackets as soon as possible.
Children will receive information about digital learning from teachers and principals in the near future.
Oglethorpe County School System
Oglethorpe County Schools will be closed for two weeks beginning March 16 and ending with the reopening of schools on March 30. There will also be no extracurricular activities, sports, school events or field trips.
Paulding County School District
Paulding County Schools will be closed beginning March 16 and will remain closed until further notice - likely for two weeks at least. Schools are anticipated to reopen on March 30.
The schools will follow a normal schedule on March 13 but the school system is telling the public that, if they choose to keep their kids home on that day, the absence will not be counted against them.
All school-related activities and events on Friday and that occur while schools are closed are canceled as well. The Learning Bridge afterschool program will remain open on Friday only.
The school system is implementing "Digital Days" online learning to ensure students continue to get instruction while school is closed.
Pickens County Schools
Pickens County School District will be closed March 16 through Friday, March 27. During this time, buses and buildings will be deep-cleaned.
As long as schools are closed, extra-curricular activities are also canceled.
Pike County Public Schools
Pike County schools will be closed on March 13 and use that time to clean schools and gather more information that will be sued to make further decisions about possibly closing for a longer period of time.
Central office staff school administrators are required to report.
Polk School District
In reaction to the governor's advisement, Polk School District has said it will be closing all of its schools beginning Monday, March 16, and continue through Friday, March 27. At that point, the school district will re-evaluate the situation.
Friday is a regularly-scheduled teacher workday and more information will be released regarding the plan for missed instruction at that time.
Putnam County Schools
Schools in Putnam County will be closed from March 16 through March 20. There will be no extracurricular activities at this time.
The school system is currently planning Online Learning where students won't be in class from March 16 to March 20. Teachers and principals will be sending out information regarding online and distance learning as it becomes available.
Teachers and staff will report on March 16 at 8 a.m. The school system will reevaluate on March 19 and determine if schools will remain closed for a longer period of time.
Rabun County Schools
Schools in Rabun County will be closed from March 16 through March 20. Officials will reevaluate the situation on March 19 to decide whether they will remain closed for a longer period.
During this time, students will be expected to complete school assignments at home beginning on March 16 through "Online Learning Days."
Communication about assignments will be through teachers, Google Classroom and notes posted on school websites. All field trips and athletic events have been canceled through March 27. The same goes for practices.
The school system is also issuing Chromebooks to students who do not have access to a computer at home.
Rabun County School Nutrition will provide meals at no cost for all children from 2 to 18 years old. They do not have to be students of Rabun County. Meals will be available on Mondays only; however, they can be picked up for the whole week at this time.
Meals will be available for pickup at the Primary School bus loading area from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Mountain City Flea Market from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Vista Ridge Apartments on Marson Knob Drive from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Dunlap Apartments from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Stavemill Apartments form 10:40 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., and Clayton-Duckett Apartments from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Rockdale County Public Schools
Rockdale County Public Schools has moved to "Independent Learning Days" beginning March 16 and continuing for two weeks. The closure could also last longer if needed.
Students will use their school-issued laptops in grades three through 12. Students in Pre-K to send grades will receive at-home assignments posted on their school websites.
Rome City Schools
Rome City Schools shared on Facebook that it will be closed until April 6.
"As a school district, we have planned for this scenario," the system shared on its website.
That plan includes individual suggestions for various grade ranges. Grades kindergarten through second grade will bring home assignment packets. Grades three through twelve will receive digital classroom content from their teachers "using a variety of digital platforms and tools."
Thursday's activities remain scheduled but any indoor or overnight activities scheduled from Friday through Monday have been canceled or postponed.
Outdoor activities will continue as scheduled.
Those who wish to receive a school meal can pick one up at any of the system's schools on Friday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Rome City Schools currently has no known or suspected cases of coronavirus.
The Walker School
The Walker School does not have any known or suspected cases of Coronavirus but has decided to close on Friday. This closure impacts all school-sponsored on- and off-campus activities "until further notice."
Both Friday and Monday will be treated as professional development days for faculty and staff. An "instructional continuity plan" will begin on Tuesday. Families will receive the plan from division heads.
All buildings and facilities on the school's campus will be closed beginning on Friday. All athletics and club activities are also canceled.
Thomaston-Upson Schools
Schools in the system and central offices will be closed March 13 through March 17. The school system will be monitoring the spread of coronavirus to decide whether to extend the closure or return to school after that point.
All athletic events and competitive events are canceled. The SAT at ULHS which was scheduled for March 14 has been canceled.
Troup County School System
The Troup County School System and its various facilities will be closed from March 16 through March 27.
The school system intends to offer more details about work hours, academic materials, nutrition, athletics, extracurricular activities and communication at a later time.
Walton County School District
The Walton County School District is following the governor's lead and the lead of neighboring counties and will close for up to two weeks beginning on March 16.
White County Schools
On the advisement of the governor, White County Schools will be closed from March 16 through March 20. The school system will re-evaluate on March 19 for the following week.
The district will continue to post updates on its website. Friday, students will be given information and material to minimize loss of instruction during the upcoming week.
There are no confirmed cases in the system.
In Georgia, the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low, according to officials. At 11Alive, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.11Alive.com/Coronavirus.
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